Chest pain with deep breathing and often when coughing may be due to a host of causes related to the thoracic cavity, upper abdomen and even the neck. It is often thought that the pain is only emanating from the lungs but strictly speaking, the lungs do not feel pain as its nerve supply is mainly >> Read More ...
What is Mastitis? Mastitis is the medical term for inflammation of the breast. Most acute cases are associated with infection especially during the first month of breastfeeding. Chronic cases may be related to secondary infections often associated with an underlying disorder or obstruction of the breast ductal system known >> Read More ...
Polyps are outgrowths of tissue from the mucosal surface of a cavity. These growths are not unique to the small and large intestine and may be see anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract like esophageal and stomach polyps and also occurs within other cavities like nasal polyps in the nose and uterine polyps in the uterus. >> Read More ...
What is a Pleural Effusion? Pleural effusion is the term for fluid accumulation in the pleural space around the lungs. It is commonly referred to as fluid around the lungs or water surrounding the lungs. It must be differentiated from pulmonary edema which is commonly known as water or fluid in the lungs. The pleural >> Read More ...
What is Pleuritis or Pleurisy? Pleuritis is the term for inflammation of the pleura, the double layered lining around the lungs. Although the term pleuritis and pleurisy is used synonymously, pleurisy actually refers to any pain from the pleura (pleuritic pain). The outer pleural layer is known as the parietal pleura and >> Read More ...
What is pericarditis? Pericarditis is the term for inflammation of the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart and root of the great blood vessels. This protective sac has two layers, between which is a small amount of pericardial fluid that helps with lubrication. Pericarditis may arise as a result of an infection, >> Read More ...
The chest cavity contains several vital organs, namely the heart and lungs. Therefore chest pain may be a symptom of a disease within these organs. It can be fatal, sometimes even within minutes. However, there are a host of other organs in the chest cavity that are not vital. It is therefore important to understad that >> Read More ...
What is a bile duct cyst? Bile ducts cysts, also known as choledochal cysts, are abnormal dilatations of the bile ducts especially the common bile duct. It is a congential anomaly, meaning that it is present from birth, and up to 20% of cases can remain asymptomatic until adulthood. These abnormal dilatations may involve >> Read More ...
What is cyanosis? Cyanosis is the medical term for a blue to purple discoloration of the skin which arises from deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood stream. It may also be seen on the mucous membranes, especially of the mouth, tongue and eyes. Cyanosis is a sign of low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxemia). It occurs when >> Read More ...
Hyperglycemia is the term for abnormally high blood glucose levels. In a person without diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes), hyperglycemia is unlikely to occur unless it is triggered by severe stress, injury or the use of medication. Even in these instances, it is temporary and will quickly resolve, with or without medical >> Read More ...
